Arresting Mason is a redemption story about a flawed man struggling to right his wrongs and finding love in the most unexpected of ways. I think the character of Mason Harding appeals to readers because mistakes are a fact of life. No one is perfect, and it shows true strength when a person overcomes the adversity and strives for a better tomorrow.
I came up with the main plot—a feisty divorcée starting a HAWT relationship with a tattooed ex-con—in a little place called dreamland. I’m always the leading lady in my dreams, and I fell head-over-heels in love with a mysterious former gang member. After I awoke from that seriously mouthwatering dream, I couldn’t stop thinking about Mason, his past, and his current problems. His seductive voice kept whispering to me, urging me to write about him, so I wrote out a rough plotline and quickly finished the manuscript I was already working on. I’ve changed quite a bit in the story from what happened in the dream, but the main premise has remained the same.
I originally wrote this book for a bad boy anthology call, but I had exceeded the maximum word count and still wanted to add more scenes by the time I finished the first draft. So I forgot all about the submission call and kept revising this story until I was finally happy with it. At long last, the manuscript clocked in at eighty thousand words and sparked ideas for more books. It’s now book one in the Arresting Onyx series, a five-book series about five sexy men—brothers in blood and in life—and the stubborn women they can’t live without.
Arresting Mason
Once you’re in a prison gang, you’re in it for life. That’s what Mason Harding thought until the boss accepted his resignation. After the State releases him on parole, a sexy divorcée behind the wheel of a car almost ends his life quicker than a shank. His chance encounter with Mia Eddison results in a night of passion, but her brother—his parole officer—catches them together and doesn’t approve.
Mia falls hard for the cocky ex-con, but not because of his chiseled body. She vows to break through his walls and discover his secrets, but never expects those secrets to threaten her life.
When members of an organized crime ring kidnap Mia to force Mason’s return to the gang, he goes up against an old friend to save the woman he loves. Will his sacrifice be enough or will everything fall apart in a blaze of gunfire?
Excerpt
They reached her store and he stared at her car parked by the curb. “Harper doesn’t know where you live or anything about you. That means you’re safe for now, but he’ll probably search this area to find us. Stay cautious, okay? Drive your car from now on. Don’t walk anywhere.”
“Why are you avoiding my questions? You can tell me anything.”
“Not this. If you trust me, don’t ask those kinds of questions.” He tightened his fingers around her forearm as she tried to jerk free from his grip. “Listen to me, damn it. You mean a lot to me, but I can’t tell you this. At least not right now. That’s nothing against you. It’s all on me. I just need time to take care of this problem. Okay? I’m fucking stressed, in a shitload of pain, and I don’t need you to hound my ass.” He dropped his hand from her arm and scowled as though he just noticed the dirt and blood on his knuckles. “I’d like to go upstairs to clean up before you take me home. I don’t want Alan to know what happened.”
Mia dug through her purse with shaky hands, so angry she didn’t trust herself to speak.
He took the keys from her before the little pieces of metal slipped between her fingers, and he hugged her despite the grime on his skin and clothes.
Tears clogged her throat. Her mind screamed at her to push away from him, but the strength in his arms enveloped her and stole her will. His heartbeat soothed hers, and she no longer cared about his lies or if filth caked him.
At least not at the moment.
“I never meant for this to happen, Mia. I will fix this.”
“I know, but at what cost?” She pried her face from his chest to stare up at him. “You’re nothing if not determined, but I’m scared and confused. You have answers to my questions, but I won’t hound you for them as you so eloquently stated. I just thought we got past this. I thought you knew I would never insult or condemn you for whatever it is you did.”
“And I thought you knew not to push me too fucking hard.” His deep voice sent shivers of unease down her spine. “I have to keep certain parts of my past to myself.”
“Whatever.” Mia finally pushed against his chest for freedom and stomped to the stairwell door.
Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats.
This is my 14th Stepbrothers Stepping Out story! All of them are short stories. They’re all decadently delicious! Hope you love the latest entry. Here’s what it’s all about:
A woman tempts a Russian strongman to save her stepbrother’s company…
It’s only $0.99 and it’s FREE to Kindle Unlimited subscribers! It’s an erotic romance, so you know a lot of naughtiness ensues… Get your copy here!
“My family is my life, and everything else comes second as far as what’s important to me.”
~ Michael Imperioli
You remember Michael Imperioli from The Sopranos, right? I love this quote because it’s true for me, as well. And here’s another…
“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”
~Desmond Tutu
He’s a South African cleric, if you didn’t know. And this one’s also true for me. I live in what could be a very divided house—Democrat and Republican. The past couple of years have been contentious, at times, during dinner time, but we love each other even if we sometimes don’t understand each other. I think this quote hits me because of that contention. If everything was always roses, we’d never have to learn the beauty of acceptance.
Here’s one from me, because as I approach this holiday season, I miss my grandma who passed this last February. She’s not here with us, but I thank the Powers every day that I was part of her “care team” there at the end. She knew she was loved. We knew we were loved…
“Hug ’em and tell them you love them. Every single day.
Make that what they remember most about you…”
If you follow me on social media, you’d know superheroes are my thing. My first superhero crush was Spider-man at age four. In my pre-teens Superman melted my heart, then Gambit stormed into my world during my teenage years. Hello, chère indeed! When the Civil War books came out in the 90’s Captain America became my latest love, even with his tragic ending.
It was Cap’s end and Peter Parker’s sad love life that inspired me to write superhero romance novels. After all, it’s not easy for a caped crusader to balance their everyday life with their superhero alter ego. Throw in a love interest and the potential for conflict is astronomical. Does the hero leave the relationship to keep their loved one safe? Does the loved one take on a hero identity of their own? So many complications to explore. It’s glorious!
In my latest release, Instinct, I was able to put in all my favorite elements of paranormal romance into a superhero story. I had a shape-shifting super, daring rescues, steamy sex scenes, and I was able to change up the narrative a little by having it be my non-super heroine as the one who had really been the one living with a secret identity. Now the reason for her alter ego had everything to do with self-preservation and less about saving the world, but she does do everything in her power to protect the hero from the sins of her past. Making this alpha hero not know whether he’s coming or going with this strong heroine was a delight to write.
Whether they were born with powers or inherited them, all superheroes must make the same decisions Do they allow others into their inner circle? How do they allow themselves to be vulnerable and trust others with their secrets? Those are the stories that I love, and I can’t wait to share more of them with you.
Instinct
Ripley Jorgensen had believed the biggest shock in his life was developing shape-shifting powers, but that was nothing compared to learning that one of his teammates, the woman he loved, was a complete fraud. Not only did she steal someone’s identity, she may have committed murder.
Alisia had figured there was no better place to hide out than in a hidden mountain fortress surrounded by superheroes. Surely no one from her past would think to look for her there—that is, until her murderous father hired the Evolutioneers to find his missing daughter and blew her cover. Now she’s on the run with not only her former friends right on her tail, but also the man who has her scent embedded in his soul.
Ripley doesn’t just want answers. The beast within has determined that Alisia is its mate. Until he claims her as his own, the fight between man and animal grows stronger every day. And if she should refuse him? The man would be lost to the beast. Forever.
Award winning author Anna Alexander is the author of the Heroes of Saturn and the Sprawling A Ranch series. With Hugh Jackman’s abs and Christopher Reeve’s blue eyes as inspiration, she loves spinning tales of superheroes finding love. Anna also loves to give back and has served on the board for the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America as chapter president, and is the co-founder of the Seattle UnCon and Passport to Romance Readers Event.
Every day, I spend eight hours or more writing, receiving and sending e-mails, composing blogs, etc.
While working, there is no one to metaphorically hold my hand and encourage me. From my first draft onwards, I write to the best of my ability. By the time I have completed several drafts, revised and edited my work, I know it inside out, upside down and back to front. That is a serious problem because I am too familiar with the text to find grammatical errors and other mistakes.
Members of the online critique group I have joined offer constructive criticism, so do members of a writers’ group which meets every Monday evening except for bank holidays
On manuscript evenings, I read approximately 2,000 words from the romantic historical novel I am writing and receive helpful feedback. Someone might point out a weak spot in the plot, an awkward phrase, repetition or something unnecessary for which I am very grateful. I reciprocate by giving my suggestions to other members’ articles, flash fiction, poetry, extracts from their novels, etc.
Apart from being a novelist, I enjoy time spent with family and friends, cooking delicious vegetarian meals, free from meat, fish and eggs, organic gardening, reading historical fiction and non-fiction, embroidery, knitting and patchwork.
Regency Heroines Born on Different Days of the Week
I wrote Sunday’s Child before I decided to write a series set in the Regency era about ladies born on different days of the week inspired by this well-known nursery rhyme:
Monday’s Child is fair of face. Tuesday’s Child is full of grace. Wednesday’s Child is full of woe. Thursday’s Child has far to go Friday’s Child is loving and giving. Saturday’s Child works hard for a living. But the child that is born on the Sabbath day is bonny and blithe good and gay.
~Anonymous
The first five novels, rich in historical detail, with happy ever after endings have been published by Books We Love, Inc.
It is unnecessary for each novel to be read in sequence. The heroines have their own unique stories which are not linked to a previous book the series, and themes which 21st century readers can identify with.
Sunday’s Child. Despite loss and past love, self-sacrifice, brutality and honour, Tarrant, who fought in the Napoleonic wars, and Georgianne, whose father and brothers died in battle, seek their happy ever after ending.
Theme. Tarrant, suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome, which had not been diagnosed in the early 19th century, struggles to overcome it.
Monday’s Child. Love, despair and renewed hope amid the gaiety and anxiety in Brussels before the Battle of Waterloo.
Theme. Helen, a talented artist, observes anxiety beneath the gaiety during the 100 days after Napoleon escaped from Elba. She captures the British ex-patriates mood on canvas and must deal with personal consequences after the Battle of Waterloo
Tuesday’s Child. Prejudice and pride demand Reverend Dominic Markham, an Earl’s younger son, marry a suitable lady, but he is spellbound by Harriet, whose birth is unequal to his.
Theme. Harriet is an impoverished widow, mother of a young son, the heir to a title. After she goes to live with her father-in- law she battles for control over her child.
Wednesday’s Child. Sensibility and sense are needed for Amelia Carstairs to accept her late grandmother’s choice of her guardian, the Earl of Saunton, to whom Amelia was previously betrothed.
Theme. Amelia inherits a fortune from her eccentric grandmother, whose loss she must come to terms with, but wealth cannot give her the happiness she craves.
Thursday’s Child. Impulsive Margaret needs common sense to check her thoughtless remarks which drive her towards Rochedale, a rake with a mysterious past.
Theme. By the end of the novel Margaret is a mature young lady capable of making a sensible decision to secure her happiness.
I know that many people are harried during the holiday season, what with shopping and parties and friends and family coming to see you or you heading off to see them, setting up the tree, wrapping gifts—whatever else needs to be done. In addition, most of us work a “real” job. A lot of people can tell you how to prevent some of that stress. My mother has gifts bought (and wrapped, I’m sure) for Christmas 2019! That drives me crazy, but at least she isn’t rushing around in December trying to buy gifts. Others might do their baking in advance so that a thaw and touch up are all that have to be done in November or December.
I’d like to suggest another way to recharge batteries and regroup before you pull out your hair and scream at the dog. Each day take a minute or two to do nothing. And by nothing, I mean no actions, no thoughts, no worries about tasks done or undone. Just sit somewhere, shake off the world (literally shake the tension from your arms and legs), and close your eyes. Relax. Open your mind to silence. The words to Silent Night have it right: “All is calm/All is bright.”
I remember walking to Midnight Mass as a child, holding Mom’s hand and hearing not much more than the crunch of snow under our boots. The lights inside the church, the organ quietly playing Christmas carols, people whispering to each other and crowding in the pews because even people who never attended Mass came to this one. In the hush of the church, there was nothing to do but close your eyes and take in the season. A feeling of peace truly came over us. Stress disappeared.
The magic of sitting quietly for a few moments is not new. It’s old school and low tech but it really works to help you face the rest of the day’s crises! If you try it you’ll see what I mean. The Christmas/Hanukkah season is one of sparkling lights, brilliant trees, shiny balls, and ribbons. We should be able to appreciate it without worry and hassle.
*~*~*
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex. Writing was so much fun Dee decided to keep at it. That’s how she spends her days. Her nights? Well, she’s lucky that her dream man, childhood sweetheart, and long-time hubby are all the same guy, and nights are their secret. For romance ranging from sweet to historical, contemporary to paranormal and more, join Dee on Nomad Authors, where you can read about her newest book, Only a Good Man Will Do: Seriously ambitious man seeks woman to encourage his goals, support his (hopeful) position as Headmaster of Westover Academy, and be purer than Caesar’s wife in order to set a good example. Good luck with that!
I’m working on my next short story collection — Stranded: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology. The themes all center around a hero or heroine who is stranded, and then rescued by a bad boy. Think, a plane crashes in the jungle and you have to count on a smuggler to see you to safety; or your ship sinks and you find yourself on a deserted island where rescue comes from a man with no intentions of delivering you home anytime soon. Yeah, men taking advantage—not without our hero/heroine’s consent or pleasure, of course!
While I’m reading through the many stories some wonderful authors have sent me, my sister, Elle James, and I are kicking around the cover design. I wanted someone who looked a little scruffy, maybe a mountain man kind of guy. What do you think of these images? Vote in the poll for the one you like best, then offer comments about what you like or don’t for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!
They reached her store and he stared at her car parked by the curb. “Harper doesn’t know where you live or anything about you. That means you’re safe for now, but he’ll probably search this area to find us. Stay cautious, okay? Drive your car from now on. Don’t walk anywhere.”
Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats.
I know that many people are harried during the holiday season, what with shopping and parties and friends and family coming to see you or you heading off to see them, setting up the tree, wrapping gifts—whatever else needs to be done. In addition, most of us work a “real” job. A lot of people can tell you how to prevent some of that stress. My mother has gifts bought (and wrapped, I’m sure) for Christmas 2019! That drives me crazy, but at least she isn’t rushing around in December trying to buy gifts. Others might do their baking in advance so that a thaw and touch up are all that have to be done in November or December.
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